Love is in the air! Valentine’s day only just past and if you haven’t shown your appreciation for your special someone, then the time is now. If you’re running out of ideas on where to celebrate your love, try these Japanese restaurants in PJ for Valentine’s day! They’re perfect for a fulfilling dinner and a romantic date.
1. Genji
This Japanese restaurant located in Hilton Petaling Jaya has been around for a long time and is a firm favourite among locals.
The interior is classical and contemporary, with separate sections in the restaurant for extra privacy- suitable for a Valentine’s day date. The sections include the main restaurant, sushi bar, teppanyaki counters, private dining rooms and one “tatami” style dining room.
Here, diners can enjoy a solid list of authentic Japanese dishes like sashimi, teppanyaki, hot pot, tempura and many more. The restaurant prepares all their dishes with a touch of modern presentation and flavours.
Every year, Genji specially crafts a Valentine’s day menu to ensure that couples can enjoy a romantic dinner with delicious authentic Japanese food. You can check out this year’s menu here.
Address: 2, Jalan Barat, Pjs 52, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
2. Rakuzen
Rakuzen is an established Japanese Restaurant with many outlets in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. The outlet at 3 Damansara, in particular, has a Japanese setting interior with the usual wide selection of authentic Japanese dishes.
They have an extensive food and beverages menu, with the most popular item being their Teishoku sets (Dinner Sets) among customers. If you’re a wagyu beef lover, rejoice for they have a whole page of special wagyu dishes for you to choose from.
And if you’re unsure of what Japanese food dishes your partner likes, then come to this place! With so many different varieties of Japanese dishes for one to choose from, you would never go wrong with the food selection offered at Rakuzen.
Address: G-41, Ground Floor Tropicana City Mall, 3, Jalan SS 20/27, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
3. Hanazen
Located in Jaya One, Hanazen is a Japanese restaurant that lives up to its popularity. They serve delicious Japanese food and are usually packed during lunch and dinner time.
One of their signature dishes is their assorted sushi. Also, their fresh salmon sashimi is very sought after, which comes in thick fat slices and a peachy-orange colour. If your partner loves sashimi, then this is definitely the place for you to plan a Valentine’s day date!
Address: 43-g block, C, 72A, Jalan Universiti, Jaya One, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
4. Hana Dining Sake Bar
Initially from Taiwan, Hana Dining Sake Bar sets a standard to deliver a whole new modern Japanese dining experience. They prepare healthy food using fresh and quality imported products and fresh sourced from local markets.
The restaurant has a main dining hall, an izakaya-inspired bar area, and private rooms for intimate group events. The ambience in the restaurant is sexy with dim yet appropriate lighting- wonderful for a dinner date.
One of their more popular and unique dishes is the goose liver roll. This dish consists of goose liver wrapped in rice roll, topped with foie gras and stuffed with crab stick, and then torched by the table for a smoky flavour. Be sure to try this dish out with your date!
Address: OB2.G.U1, 3, Jalan PJS 11/15, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
5. FujiYama
If you’re into a more casual Valentine’s day date, try FujiYama! Even though their interior may be simple, their Japanese dishes are definitely not!
The Japanese chef, Chef Yama, has more than ten years of experience in making traditional sushi. He was dubbed “The Magic Chef” for his ability to conjure up stunning dishes with delicious taste.
Their must-try dish is the Salmon Belly Osaka Sushi, which is Salmon Rice Osaka with sushi rice in garlic and onion flavour. The dish is not only delicious but also gives a stunning first impression that is visually pleasing.
Address: No 21, Jalan SS21/60, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
6. Ichiro Sushi Bar
Located in Isetan’s Eat Paradise, Ichiro Sushi Bar is a small Japanese restaurant with a sushi bar. The restaurant has a few tables by the side for a more private dining experience- exactly what you’d want for a romantic date.
The ingredients used to prepare the dishes are fresh with promising quality imported from the famous Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo.
If you like to have a quieter and more relaxing Valentine’s day date, make sure to head to Ichiro Sushi Bar for an authentic Japanese dining experience with your loved one!
Address: Bandar Utama F101, First Floor, Isetan One Utama Shopping Centre, 1, Lebuh Bandar Utama, Bandar Utama, 47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
7. Miyabi
Located within the luxurious Sheraton Petaling Jaya Hotel, Miyabi is a contemporary Japanese restaurant that serves authentic Japanese cuisine.
The interior is Japanese inspired with natural wood, modern Japanese pottery and origami artworks decorated around the space. The restaurant is spacious and can sit up to 120 pax. They have seatings in the main restaurant, private dining room, sushi bar and teppanyaki counter.
Here, they offer a vast menu, ranging from affordable set lunches to traditional full course Kaiseki meals. Other than that, you can also leave it to the chef to create an omakase menu, where a dish is specially created just for you and your date!
Address: Lorong Utara C, Pjs 52, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
8. Iketeru
Located discreetly on the eighth floor of Hilton Kuala Lumpur, Iketeru is one of the most reputable and respected Japanese restaurants in the city. It is so good that even though it isn’t exactly in PJ, we felt the need to recommend it to you!
Their menus change with the seasons, so you’ll always be in for a surprise. The ambience of the restaurant is calm and relaxing as it’s surrounded by waterfalls, ponds and tropical greenery.
Even though the price may be a little steep, the environment, service and quality of Iketeru’s food are exceptional. You can check out their Valentine’s exclusive five-course set menu here.
Address: 3, Jalan Stesen Sentral, Kuala Lumpur Sentral, 50470 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
There you have it, our top picks for the eight best Japanese restaurants in PJ for Valentine’s day! Come here to spend a memorable dinner date with your loved one.
But if you’re not in the mood to visit these Japanese restaurants in PJ for Valentine’s day, you can always cook your own Japanese meal! Check out our recipes on how to make half-boiled egg curry udon, soft-shell crab salad, and tori karaage, among many others.
Or, you can order your meal from foodpanda instead! The foodpanda app offers a large selection of Japanese restaurants to choose from and delivers everything straight to your doorstep! While eating at Japanese restaurants in PJ for Valentine’s day is romantic, a thoughtful dinner at home is just as great.